The Show Must Go On

The Show Must Go On is a symphonic hard rock song by Queen. The music was composed primary by Brian May, but is attributed to the entire band, Freddie Mercury sang the vocals. The song was recorded in 1990 and it was first released as track 12 on the album Innuendo on 1991-02-05. It was later released as a single on 1991-10-14 with a B-side of the long-since-released Keep Yourself Alive. Several releases also included a collage of interview audio called Queen Talks.

I first heard this song on the late 1990s as the final track of the compilation album Classic Queen. It has such an amazingly epic sound that just grows and grows in strength despite the tragic nature of the lyrics. This is one of my favorite Queen songs, and favorite songs in general.

Learning that Freddie sung this song despite being so ill he was going to die within the year makes me appreciate it even more. The song is basically both defiance and acceptance of death, and I can't help but mirror some of the emotion every time I listen to the song.

Lyrics

Empty spaces - what are we living for
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on
Does anybody know what we are looking for
Another hero another mindless crime
Behind the curtain in the pantomime
Hold the line
Does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on
The show must go on
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Whatever happens I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for
I guess I'm learning
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on - yeah
Ooh inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Yeah, oh oh oh
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on - yeah
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show
I'll top the bill
I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the
On with the show
The show must go on, go on, go on, go on, ...